The watermelon fast is a 2 – 3 day detox in which an individual only consumes watermelon. The main purpose of the detox is to clear the body of toxins and reduce inflammation, with the added benefit of weight-loss.
The premise that watermelon is a great detox food is based on the fact that it is packed with nutrients while containing over 90% water – this makes it a low-calorie food which people can eat in large quantities without putting on any unwanted weight. In fact, the calorie content of watermelon is so low that it results in weight loss.
Watermelons are known to improve kidney function and are used to treat kidney stones and UTI’s, in mild cases. One of the roles which the kidneys play in the body is to expel unwanted toxins. The toxins are firstly processed by the liver and the water-soluble toxins are sent to the kidneys and excreted in the urine.
Detoxes supposedly to give your liver and kidneys a ‘break’ while flushing any excess toxins out of the system, therefore, the watermelon detox diet is believed to give the kidneys a rest while improving their functionality.
There are 4 ways to consume the watermelon while participating in the watermelon fast. The first way is to simply cut it up and eat it as it is. This is the quickest and most convenient way to consume the fruit, but it can get boring very quickly.
The second option is to juice it. The great thing about juicing the watermelon is that the rind can be added to the drink. The rind is packed with minerals and the touch of blandness plays down the sweetness of the watermelon.
The third way is to freeze the watermelon and then blend it into a smoothie with the seeds. The body will benefit from the inclusion of the seeds because they contain both zinc and fibre. Fibre is a crucial part of any diet and it should definitely be added to a juice cleanse wherever possible.
The fourth way to eat the watermelon is to add other ingredients to it. These should be restricted to other fruits, vegetables, and fresh herbs in order to stick with the fast. While this is not the recommended way to complete the fast, it has been reported that it renders similar results.
The watermelon cleanse is guaranteed to help with weight-loss because it creates a severe calorie deficit; burning more calories than you consume is the only way to lose weight. However, as is the case with all diets, the weight will be regained as soon as the dieter returns to regular eating patterns.
The watermelon fast will not have any adverse effects if only followed for a few days, but it is not recommended for long-term use. Long-term use will result in numerous deficiencies due to the many minerals, vitamins, proteins, and fats which watermelon lacks.
To prevent total boredom setting in you can also sip on herbal or specialized weight loss teas in between your watermelon sessions.
Detox diets have never been proven to play any role in removing toxins from the body and many scientists believe that a detox is a waste of time because the liver and kidneys are incredibly efficient in toxin removal. Many people turn to detox cleanses because it is a short-term commitment that does not require any long-term lifestyle adjustments.